This footage has been available to the public for quite some time (I reviewed my copy of the 3-disc documentary set “World War I in Color,” which has a copyright of 2003, here: https://wp.me/p4zV0n-zR), but it looks as if the latest generation of digital enhancements has added to the viewing experience. They also seem to have done quite a bit more work on lip-reading, to add an authentic touch to the voice-overs (I remember seeing a video of an early phase of that research, which employed the hearing-impaired to reveal what the men in the sunken road were saying).

Saw this preview too afew times. Although I love history, I’m not usually a big ‘war-movie fan,’ although there have been a few exceptions such as ‘Saving Private, a “Thin Red Line,” a Serial that was on TV about 5 years ago, “Band of Brothers” and a more recent George Clooney & Crew movie about the guys who find and reclaim/return the art the Nazis stole from the Jews, the Louvre etc. at the end of WWII. I’ve seen a few, (read a few books too)’ but a, not a war buff or fan of movies b/c of that gore, even though I’m sure many movies are quite realistic with these effects now.

But, I feel this one is important to see, & I’m also feel humbled, that the solidiers who died or survived w/o limbs, sight, were disfigured, along w/ PTSD and other mental health issues, can’t be forgotten, US, Canadian, etc. B/c sacrifices in the Great War, & WWII after (although this is just the first war) cannot be downplayed.

The movie title was also well chosen from McCrae’s famous poem and the line: “They Shall Not Sleep.” I think this movie is vital b/c for the most part it’s “ real,” its not effects or acting. It points to other words in McCrae’s poem, “To you from flailing hands we throw / The torch be yours to hold high” — so that the movie’s audience does not forget these soldiers sacrifice (what and why they fought) and do not “break faith.” B/c these young men mostly, “lived, were loved” and saw “sunset glow” were like any young man or woman today, but had the responsibility to go to war.

So, for me that’s my biggest reasons why this preview and upcoming movie are vital to watch. We know history repeats itself, but maybe if we do not forget the reality, the ‘realiness of war and death’ for freedom, we can hold that off and do better. War is never just, but there are times it’s a cruel necessity.

I’m generally not a war movie fan either. Of course my interest in the Great War overcomes any aversion I have to the genre. I truly hope this film will do the subject the justice it deserves – by all accounts it does. The digital restoration looks amazing, really bringing the footage to life. I hope you get to see it, Mandi! And me too!

It is absolutely brilliantly done – and harrowing; he does not shirk from showing some very grisly footage, but that’s as it should be, of course. Seeing it as if it is current footage really brings home the human dimension.